Picnic Tablecloth Cookies

These delicious frosted sugar cookie bars are all dressed up to go on a picnic. Adorable Picnic Tablecloth Cookies!

When I think of Memorial Day the next word that comes to mind is always “picnic,” so that was the inspiration for these gingham picnic tablecloth cookie bars. I don’t know about you but when my family does picnics/potlucks it is pretty simple- and perfect! My dad and husband hang out around the grill while my mom and I cart the food and fixings out to the picnic table. There’s usually a plastic red checkered tablecloth involved along with paper plates, plastic forks, and red Solo cups. 😉

I used the ever-popular sugar cookie bar for the base. I’ve made these many times and keep returning to them because they are simple and pack a lot of flavor. Who doesn’t love a soft sugar cookie smothered in buttercream? Of course you could make this picnic tablecloth on a 9×13 cake too if that’s more your style.

I used tape and strips of paper to make the gingham pattern but you could use masking tape and skip the paper altogether. Using Wilton’s food coloring mist I took these outside and sprayed the pan with the strips of paper all going one way. Then I adjusted the paper strips to go the opposite way across the pan and sprayed again. It was a little windy so there was some overlap. Still, I loved the effect, and I loved even more that it was so simple. A few cookie crumbs and some black licorice complete the look.

My husband was amused when he saw the ant trails looping around the pan and asked me if I had ever seen ants going around in circles.

Well, ants follow their leader and this leader happened to be a bit whimsical. So there.

This post is part of a Virtual Memorial Day Potluck with Celebrations.com. I brought dessert. I promise there are many other tasty treats waiting for you so go check them out:

Ingredients:

Animal crackers, nilla wafers, or any other cookie crumbles (optional)

black licorice

For the Frosting:

1/2 Cup butter, room temperature

1/2 Cup shortening

4 Cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

4 Tablespoons milk or heavy cream

Red spray food coloring

Directions:

For the sugar cookie bars:

Preheat oven to 350.

In the bowl of your mixer cream butter and sugar. Add vanilla and eggs one at a time.

In a separate bowl whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda. Add this to the wet mixture slowly until just combined.

Using your hands press the dough down into a greased jelly roll pan (10x15). You can use a 9x13 of course but you will need to increase the baking time.

Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes until golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool completely before frosting.

For the Frosting:

In a mixing bowl beat butter and shortening until combined. Slowly add extracts and powdered sugar. Add milk/cream as the frosting thickens. Use as much milk/cream as you want until you reach your desired consistency.

Spread over cookie bars.

Assembling the tablecloth:

Lay down a large trash bag and place your frosted cookies on top. (I did this outside...it was windy.)

Using masking tape or long 1/2 inch strips of paper make a diagonal pattern across the frosted cookie bars.

Spray the cookies with red food coloring.

Adjust the paper strips to go the opposite way across the pan and spray again.

Place black licorice pieces along the pan to look like ant trails.

Sprinkle with cookie crumbs.

Notes:

This gingham pattern can be made on top of a cake or frosted brownies instead of cookie bars if you prefer.

You can use all butter in the frosting recipe- instead of half shortening. Just know that your frosting won't be as white. Americolor and Wilton sell a wonderful white food coloring for frosting if you need it.

You can find spray food coloring in a variety of colors (I used Wilton) at most craft stores.

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37 Responses to “Picnic Tablecloth Cookies”

Woah! Brilliant and adorable. I really like the whimsical ants going around in circles 😉 But I'm cursing you for saying 'red solo cup' now I have that damn song stuck in my head. Curses!
My recent post Mini Coffee Cheesecakes with Caramel Whipped Cream

Katrina, when we got the list of other recipes in the potluck, I just could NOT wait to see these! They didn't disappoint–I have to make these for the Memorial Day weekend. So adorable! I also love that I can do this on a cake, too. Love these so much!

I absolutely love the technique you used to create the checkerboard pattern for your tablecloth. Amazing! The ants and the crumbs add a touch of whimsy and make this a picture perfect dessert for any picnic. I've been looking for a good fruit pizza cookie crust and will have to try this recipe out. It looks perfect.
My recent post A virtual Memorial Day potluck with Celebrations – Patriotic Biscuits

Ohmy gosh! So fun! i am making this for my party this weekend. I love your blog and recipe ideas. I would LOVE for you to pop over and link this up in my Red White and Blue linky! It would be fun having you!

I am always so jealous of your decorating skills. It is seriously impressive. Any chef who looks down on a baker is crazy because it is 200x harder to make something look so beautiful and artistic. I'm going to need some assistance for my friend's 30th birthday cake as she somehow has the misguided notion that I'm a baker!